Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 12 hours is required. You should stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours before your collection, and this test should be drawn before a Schilling test, transfusions, or B12 therapy begins.
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What's Included
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): The total amount of iron that transferrin can bind, calculated by adding serum iron and unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC).
- UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity): The remaining capacity of transferrin to bind additional iron that is not already bound.
- Iron, Total: The amount of iron circulating in the blood, primarily bound to transferrin.
- Iron Saturation: The percentage of transferrin's iron-binding capacity currently occupied by iron, calculated by dividing serum iron by TIBC and multiplying by 100.
Ferritin
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets Blood Test
White Blood Cells
Red Blood Cells and Red Cell Indices
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): Carries oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from your cells. Iron deficiency can lower this count.
- Hemoglobin: A compound inside red cells that carries oxygen through your bloodstream and gives blood its red color.
- Hematocrit: The percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells.
- MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): The average hemoglobin amount within a single red blood cell.
- MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration): The average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): The average size of your red blood cells.
- RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width): Measures the variation in volume and size among your red blood cells.
Platelets
- Platelet Count: Blood cell particles that play a role in forming blood clots.
- MPV (Mean Platelet Volume): The average size of platelets in the blood, providing information about platelet production and activity.
White Blood Cell Differential
- Neutrophils: The most common white blood cell type, created by your bone marrow to combat inflammatory and infectious conditions.
- Lymphocytes: B cells and T cells that fight bacteria and other pathogens, found mainly in your lymph system.
- Monocytes: Work alongside neutrophils to fight infections and clear away dead or damaged cells.
- Eos (Eosinophils): White blood cells that become active in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils: Help detect infections early, support wound healing, and respond to allergic reactions.
- Immature Granulocytes: A component of your white blood cell differential included in this panel. (Labcorp only)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) with eGFR Blood Test
Glucose
Kidney Profile
- BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): A waste product formed when the body breaks down protein, normally removed by the kidneys.
- Creatinine, Serum: A waste product from normal muscle activity that is filtered from the blood by the kidneys.
- BUN/Creatinine Ratio: A calculated value (BUN divided by creatinine) that can suggest conditions like dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): A calculated estimate of how effectively the kidneys filter waste from the blood, used to assess kidney function.
Liver Panel
- Protein, Total: The combined amount of albumin and globulin proteins in the blood, which helps assess liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin, Serum: A protein produced by the liver that helps maintain fluid balance and transport substances through the blood.
- Globulin, Total: A group of blood proteins involved in immune defense, transporting substances, and other important body functions.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio: A calculated value (albumin divided by globulin) that, alongside other results, can assist in evaluating liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total: A yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells and processed by the liver. Elevated levels can cause jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase: An enzyme found primarily in the liver, bile ducts, and bones that can help identify liver or bone disorders.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT): An enzyme found in the liver and other tissues, such as the heart and muscles, that is released into the blood when cells are damaged.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT): An enzyme that helps identify liver damage. Abnormal levels may represent liver disease.
Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium: One of the major salts in your body fluid, important for water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium: Helps control the function of your nerves and muscles.
- Chloride: Similar to sodium, it helps maintain your body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total: A measure that primarily reflects bicarbonate in the blood, helping assess the body's acid-base balance.
- Calcium: A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth, and for normal muscle, nerve, and blood clotting function.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12: An essential vitamin that supports healthy nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA formation. Measuring vitamin B12 levels helps identify deficiencies that may contribute to anemia, fatigue, or nerve problems.
Folic Acid (Folate)
Folate (Folic Acid): A B vitamin that helps the body make new cells, produce healthy red blood cells, and form DNA. Measuring folate levels helps identify deficiencies that may contribute to anemia and is especially important during pregnancy for healthy fetal development.
Hemoglobin Solubility
Benefits
- Checks iron, B12, and folate levels linked to red blood cell health.
- Evaluates red blood cell counts alongside kidney, liver, and electrolyte markers.
- Offers a broad view of factors that support healthy red blood cell production.
- Provides results you can review and discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Supports ongoing monitoring for those already being treated for anemia.
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults interested in learning more about their red blood cell health.
- Individuals wanting to check their iron, B12, and folate status.
- Anyone whose healthcare provider has recommended a broad anemia-related panel.
- People wanting a general health check that includes kidney and liver markers.
- Individuals monitoring their status while receiving anemia-related treatment.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This panel combines iron studies, a Complete Blood Count (CBC), a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14), vitamin B12, folate, and hemoglobin solubility testing. Together, these tests assess iron levels, red blood cell counts, and overall organ and electrolyte health—all of which contribute to healthy red blood cell production. Reviewing the results together can provide a fuller picture of factors that may relate to anemia, although this panel does not diagnose any condition on its own.
2. Who should consider ordering this panel?
This panel may be useful for adults seeking a broad assessment of their iron, vitamin, red blood cell, and metabolic markers. You may consider it for general screening, to establish a baseline, or to monitor these markers as part of ongoing care. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether the panel is appropriate for your situation.
3. Is any special preparation required?
Yes. You must fast for at least 12 hours before collection and stop consuming biotin at least 72 hours beforehand. This test should also be performed before beginning a Schilling test, blood transfusions, or vitamin B12 therapy.
4. How quickly will I receive my results?
Results are typically available within 3–5 business days. However, weather, holidays, or laboratory delays may extend the turnaround time.
5. How should I interpret my results?
It is often more meaningful to consider how your iron, vitamin, red blood cell, and metabolic markers relate to one another rather than viewing any result in isolation. If a result falls outside the expected range, discuss the complete panel with your healthcare provider. They can interpret the patterns in the context of your health and determine whether additional testing or other next steps may be needed.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your health history, goals, and specific circumstances. Follow the schedule recommended by your healthcare provider. Tracking iron, vitamin B12, folate, and red blood cell markers over time may support earlier awareness of changes and help guide conversations about your ongoing health and well-being.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 12 hours is required. Patients should stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours before the collection. Must draw before Schilling test, transfusions, or B12 therapy is started.
